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Big Eats at the Houston Rodeo

By Dylan Aguilar, Contributing writer | March 17, 2017

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Rodeo customers breathe out clouds of smoke as they chew on liquid nitrogen popcorn, making it one of the most fun eats at the Rodeo. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)

When it comes to food, Rodeo patrons have a lot to choose from.

In the old days, carnival food was simple; sausage on a stick, cotton candy or plain old caramel-dipped apples would have done the trick. But things have advanced and Rodeo grub is no exception.

Fried Oreos, corn on the cob sprinkled with flaming-hot Cheetos crumbs, popcorn frozen in liquid nitrogen that taste like icy Captain Crunch cereal - all have a home at the 2017 Houston Rodeo & Livestock Show carnival. People line up for these culinary customs.

One of the great traits of the Rodeo is that you can eat all kinds of food that you would otherwise never have the opportunity to try. At the carnival, I indulged in fried pickles, strawberry funnel cake, nitro slushy popcorn and a hunk of turkey leg. Normally I wouldn’t order a plate of fried pickles for an appetizer before moving on to candy-flavored popcorn. But at the Rodeo, gastronomically anything goes.

Turkey legs are never in short supply at RodeoHouston. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)
Fried pickles make for a great appetizer at the Rodeo carnival. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)
Onion rings are a favorite side dish at the Rodeo. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)
Corn on the cob peppered with flaming-hot, crushed Cheetos is one of the new recipes patrons can find at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo carnival. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)
Funnel cake with whipped cream and strawberries has become a classic sweet treat at the Rodeo. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)

Turkey legs are never in short supply at RodeoHouston. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)

Fried pickles make for a great appetizer at the Rodeo carnival. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)

Onion rings are a favorite side dish at the Rodeo. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)

Corn on the cob peppered with flaming-hot, crushed Cheetos is one of the new recipes patrons can find at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo carnival. (Photo: Dylan Aguilar)